Petrochemical Industry Looks to Expand in Appalachia by Liz Partsch For years, Southeast Ohio has been a hub for fossil fuel jobs that the industry claims employ millions. With the rise of coal mining in the 19th century and the fracking boom of the 2000s, the industry presents its latest push: plastic production. Now, petrochemicals have their sights on a new destination in Appalachia: Belmont County, located in southeastern Ohio, to accompany an existing plant in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. In Belmont County, a global chemical company from Bangkok, PTT Global Chemical, has proposed plans to construct an ethane cracker plant […]
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Region LIGHTs with technology and innovation
An innovative new program promotes job creation and collaboration in Appalachia By Wesley Ratko Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty program began with a speech delivered in Athens, Ohio. While addressing a crowd on Ohio University’s main campus in May 1964,President Johnson kicked off his push to pass the signature legislative achievement of his presidency. The legacy and effectiveness of that initiative remain controversial, but its impacts are still felt across Appalachia and Southeast Ohio. That day, he said: “And with your courage and with your compassion and your desire, we will build the Great Society. It is a Society where no child will go unfed, and no youngster […]
